Today we’d like to introduce you to Cindy Moore.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’ve spent most of my life trying to find the positive and beauty in the world. There is always so much to be thankful for, and art has given me the platform to give back in the best way. If you would have asked me a decade ago, where I thought I would be, I would have shyly dodged the question, and said “wherever I’m meant to be I’ll be”.
I truly didn’t have a sense of direction until I took a job that undoubtedly changed my life. In 2013, I began to work with at-risk youth, helping them discover their passions and incorporate the positive direction they wanted in life. While most people would have labeled these kids “misfits”, I saw them as individuals in real, raw, and everyday life situations, trying their hardest to navigate adult life, while they were still young. During this process, I discovered that many of the kids I was trying to help, used art as an escape from the daily demands of their life. I took it upon myself to find ways to help them find a way to marry their love of the arts within their education to help them achieve their HS diplomas and help guide them into a bright, productive and successful future. It was at this very moment that I saw the power of the arts, the power the arts had to transform lives. Without thinking twice, I completely immersed myself in the world of art education, returning back to school to earn my teaching certificate, and later my Masters in Art Education. Once enrolled, I quickly joined the charter for the teaching artist network at Texas Woman’s University, and found ways to volunteer in art events, whenever I could. During my senior year as an educator major, I was voted in as the President of the chapter, and I knew in my heart that the organization could do so much more, and give back so much more. So with the help of an amazing team and professors, we quickly became a chapter of serving others with not only our talents but with our time and efforts. Within one year, we partnered up with nonprofits, to help bring FREE art projects to their organizations, and free art supplies. We partnered up with municipalities to provide free art events to the community. Within one year, we reached over a thousand people, with our acts of service.
When it was time to pass the torch and move on, I realized that I wanted to continue this journey and bring art to everyone. It was in that moment that the manifesto of Creatives Unite was born, and I held that in my heart, knowing the right time would come along, and I would be able to create a non-profit, where we could use art as a platform for change, and as a platform that continued to give back to the community, In Spring of 2018, I decided to embark on my masters degree, and at the same time establish Creatives Unite. Although taking on two of my goals at times was tough, I learned that anything truly is possible, if you put in the work, and if you believe in what you have to offer.
Since then, Creatives Unite has partnered up with local municipalities to offer our talents to help with social awareness, most recently we painted animals from the animal shelters to give out as gifts when the animals were adopted to support “before you shop, adopt!” We’ve hosted countless of free workshops/classes that help at-risk youth find their artistic voice and their confidence. We’ve sold t-shirts and other goods, and used 100% of those funds to give to other non-profits who we believe our fighting all the good fights. We’ve raised donations for supplies and gifted them to other educators and schools where funding is cut short. There is so much left on our hearts, so many goals we want to achieve, and so many more people and communities we want to give back to. Our goal for the future is that we continue to raise awareness for the arts, and the power the arts have to transcend change and inject beauty into communities. Here at Creatives Unite, we truly believe art brings the world together, and it starts with people like you.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
When you’re working towards your goals, you’ll find that there will be bumps in the road. During the creation of Creatives Unite, there was a lot of concern that was raised over the ability to really create change. I think there is a misconception out there that one person can’t really activate change, and I’m here to tell you that that is WRONG. All it takes is one person to believe that they can and who is willing to put in the work to make it happen, regardless of people’s negativity, or obstacles. When you stand up for what you want, others will notice, and the people who believe in your mission, they’ll come along. Austin Kleon said it best in his book, Show Your Work!: 10 Ways to Share Your Creativity and Get Discovered when he stated: “Forget about being an expert or a professional and wear your amateurism (your heart, your love) on your sleeve. Share what you love, and the people who love the same things will find you.”
If you have something in your heart, a goal that lights you up, no one can stop you but yourself. If there are things in the way, find a way to get through them. Make smaller goals until you eventually get to your big ones. It’s all about progress. Creatives Unite was made up of a lot of little goals that eventually led us where we are today. Proof that anything is possible.
We’d love to hear more about Creatives Unite.
Creatives Unite is made up of a bunch of creatives. We have visual artists, musicians, graphic designers, writers, etc. ranging from aspiring beginners to advanced professionals, all with a heart for serving. They give their time where they can, and together they find ways to help and give back where they are needed. Need a social change campaign? We can help you! Want to make art, learn different mediums, and feel good that your purchase goes back into the community? Come to our classes. We are first and foremost a non-profit, and everything that comes into our program goes back out in the form of donations, events, and more. At the end of the day, if someone has found value, power, or transformation in and through the arts, we’ve already accomplished our mission.
Which women have inspired you in your life?
I wouldn’t be who I am today without the rallying of strong women in my life, and those who have come before me.
My mom for starters is the epiphany of giving and serving, I don’t think she knows how to rest, she is always motivating, encouraging, and supporting all of us in her life, with her love, her wisdom, and her time. My sister was the first one to show me how to stand your ground and put your foot down when you believe in something. I don’t think I’d ever known that type of strength if I hadn’t seen it from her firsthand, and she is the most loyal person I’ve ever met.
As for the rest of the women who’ve inspired me in my life, they’re the ones I get to call my best friends, my sisters in Christ. I believe that you are a cumulation of the people in your life, and the women in my life are fierce, loyal, giving, kind, encouraging, supportive, motivating, honest, and authentic. To my best friends, they know who they are, I could not, and would not want to be the person I am today without you. Showing up and doing this life together is my favorite part.
Finally, my little girl, my sweet daughter. Her infectious laughter and thirst for life is the most inspiring to me. She is authentically and unapologetically herself, and all us women need to be reminded of that, that it’s ok to be unapologetically yourself, no matter what.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.creativesunite.org
- Email: admin@creativesunite.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creativesuniteorg/
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/itscindymoore
Image Credit:
Cindy Moore
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